MOMtor monday: mothers teach by example

Many years ago I read Leo Buscaglia’s book  Living, Loving, Learning. His book gave the strong message of how important teaching is — especially in one’s own home.

That led me to the belief that all mothers should be teachers and all teachers ought be mothers. Both parents and teachers are essential to the healthy development of any child. The rearing and supporting of children by parents and the stimulation and guidance of students by teachers lead to the success of all children.

When a child lives with nurturing parenting, or “mothering”,  he or she is treated with great kindness and love and is protected from danger. Holding, cuddling, and rocking a child are the physical and emotional interactions that characterize “mothering.” This kind of parenting is as important as feeding or bathing to a child’s survival.These parents let their children know that they are loved just because they are, as they are. Their love and support is never based on a child’s ability, health, or personality.

Healthy “mothering” also involves teaching. As mothers, we educate our children to love, to take risks and to move out of their comfort zones.  With guidance, kids learn to respect themselves and others, and to feel compassion, empathy, honesty and trust.

Children learn by observation first. Through our own behavior, we instill in our child what we wish that child to be. If we want our child to be polite, creative and caring, we have to be polite, creative, and caring. Our children will continue to learn it by doing. Even very young children can be taught these skills. They’re vital to every family and to society.

Just like wise mothers , accomplished teachers will care for all their students with consideration, appreciation and warmth. They’ll protect them from harm when under their care. They welcome their students regardless of the level of ability and skill they have achieved.  They don’t discriminate due to personality, appearance, race, gender or creed. Polite, creative, honest, responsible educators will model these qualities for their students. They’ll model all the virtues and character traits that they wish their students to live out.

Working together, nurturing parents and teachers will help children grow into the adult citizens our world needs. I encourage all parents to read Leo Buscaglia’s Living, Loving, Learning. I encourage all parents and teachers to ”mother” their children and their students. Our homes and the world will be better places.

Mirta Calvo taught school for 26 years: Pre-K (where she taught Kathy’s son, Paul) and grades 3-8 (where she taught Kathy’s son’s Paul and Max). She also taught adults (Vo-Tech)  who were getting their Florida state certification to teach 0-6 year olds. She is the mother of two sons, now 41 and 37,  and has three grandsons, ages 14,12 and 4.